Friday, November 2, 2012

Apple & Berry Sparkler

Hello again! It seems like it has been forever since we’ve talked huh? Yeah that’s because it has been a while… sorry about that one. If you didn’t see my post last week, the reason it’s been a week since we’ve talked is because we made the big move to Portland over the weekend! We found an apartment here and moved ourselves up here for Matt’s work. We flew home to Reno last Tuesday, packed up all of our stuff and drove a U-Haul up here on Sunday. That is not a fun drive in a U-Haul in case you are wondering. It kind of sucks! There is no CD or even a tape player in them so you are stuck listening to the radio stations that come in. It wasn’t fun at all! But we did get to listen to a podcast from our church in Reno for an hour, and then we got to catch some of the World Series too, which was a lot of fun! (I tend to get into sports only when it’s a big game… not really other than that lol). We made the drive as fun as it could be, but I don’t recommend it. I wish we would have hired a moving company and we would have just flown up here! So much faster!!

Anyway, now we are in our cute little apartment and we are starting to make it look like a home! This is the first time since we got married two years ago that we have been able to use our wedding gifts! And really the first time we have had to pack up our stuff (other than clothes when we moved to New Zealand) and make a move like this. It is pretty much like moving out together for the first time. It was a bit weird, but we are getting ourselves moved in and it is a lot of fun. We did our stocking up trip to the store and spent a mere $350! Then went to Target to get things like a vacuum and other things we didn’t get for the wedding and spent another $300 (if you are looking for a pretty good vacuum for cheap go to Target! We got ours for $45 and it is really good!!). Moving out for the first time can get expensive man!

Today we are heading to Ikea to get some more stuff to make this place feel like home too. We still need a dining table, bar stools, and a mix of other things. Phew! When will it stop?? No but to be quite honest, I am having a lot of fun decorating our place. This is the first time I have really been able to do it and it is a lot of fun. Even if it is expensive, it is worth it :)

To celebrate us moving into our new place and me finally being able to decorate my own house (apartment), I made a sparkling cocktail for us to enjoy. It also helps when doing housework too. I recommend enjoying a cocktail while cleaning or cooking if you’ve never done it before. It makes a hard job seem easier (but that being said, please be careful if you do!!) and it could even make it fun if you don’t enjoy cooking or cleaning! ;)

I made my sparkler with apples, raspberries and blackberries, but feel free to use whatever fruit you have on hand. I think any would make it taste great! I also used a sparkling rose wine, but again, another sparkling wine or champagne would taste great. Enjoy this for a party, at Thanksgiving, or just by yourself while doing housework. That’s what I did! Either way, enjoy this, and I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Add the sugar and water into a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely. This is your simple syrup.

In a pitcher, add ice, berries, apple slices, lemon juice, and simple syrup that is now cooled. Slowly pour the sparkling wine or champagne into the pitcher over the fruit mixture.

Thank you! I know, I dont want to move again anytime soon. Its a lot of work. Thankfully we are finally done unpacking. Im glad its over. The berries are starting to run thin. Im glad I got these last bits :)

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